Hunters promote education, reading in school visits

The National Sports

By MELTON PAIS
PAPUA New Guinea Hunters players visited four different Buk Bilong Pikinini libraries in the National Capital District yesterday.
The visits were organised by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League and Buk Bilong Pikinini Libraries.
The Hunters were divided into  four groups and visit the schools to promote education and reading as well as sharing in fun activities with the pre-schoolers.
The NRL PNG development officers accompanied the Hunters on the visits.
Hunters captain Ase Boas, who is a Buk Bilong Pikinini ambassador, along with assistant coach Nigel Hukula, teammates Esau Siune, Butler Morris, Bland Abavu, Henry Wan, Enoch Maki and Karo Kauna Jr visited BBP Library at the University of Papua New Guinea.
The other Hunters players visited Monier (Nine-Mile), Evadahana (Nine-Mile) and Six-Mile libraries.
Hukula, who has a degree in education, said their main message to the students in the BBP libraries was that education and seeking knowledge was important.
“We’re not only visiting these schools to inspire the kids about the importance of education but also to teach them basic skills in rugby league like tapping the ball, playing the ball and things like that,” Hukula said.
He said the concept was to use rugby league with the help of the SP Hunters to promote education and reading among pre-school and primary schools.
“The guys enjoyed interacting with students and doing classroom activities like reading books, drawing and writing,” the former Kumul captain said
“They also had some outdoor activities, teaching the students basic rugby league skills showing them how to play the ball and pass the ball.”
The Hunters also gave away 80 free 80 tickets to the students – 20 tickets at each visit.
The students will be accompanied by their teachers or parents to Sunday’s Hunters match with the Norths Devils at the National Football Stadium.
“Eighty lucky students will wtach the Hunters play at the NFS and they’ll  wave their banners and sing songs or chants and support the Hunters from their seats.”
Boas said having the students at the NFS on Sunday would be a boost for them.